With Centipede Hz, Animal Collective have delivered a cluttered, abrasive album that confirms their naysayers' exaggerated perceptions of the band. But even a patchy Animal Collective album yields several exceptional songs.

There's no other band doing this, simply. Yet another near masterpiece from these guys, let it settle in, takes a while, but a beautiful pieceThere's no other band doing this, simply. Yet another near masterpiece from these guys, let it settle in, takes a while, but a beautiful piece . They are a rarity these days.…Expand

If you look at their back catalogue you'll know that their primary function is not to make pleasant sounding music, so that criticism doesn'tIf you look at their back catalogue you'll know that their primary function is not to make pleasant sounding music, so that criticism doesn't carry much weight. That's what most reviewers are likely to invoke, however, which serves as the unfortunate litmus betraying unfamiliarity with the group. The magic the collective holds lies not in producing music with mass appeal, but in their ability to embrace challenging sounds and combinations of sounds, an alchemy in which the individual listener also participates, and one in which animal collective and merry crew co-chart a course of mutual discovery--the final goal of which is nothing less than continually unfolding transformation.

In that respect MMP was something of a happy accident, garnering countless unanticipated accolades. This time around, however, Animal Collective have sacrificed some of the surface appeal of that record in favor of a richly-detailed, jostling boisterousness--I get the impression that they are a touring carnival act-- that lends itself most readily to the task of repeated listens.

Whether or not this record carries with it any ulterior meaning remains to be seen. One or two of the reviews I have read through this site have sussed something subsurface, but the mystery of its depths is far from plumbed.…Expand

First review after years of lurking. I love this album, and while I agree that it's not as immediately accessible as MPP, it is still a nearFirst review after years of lurking. I love this album, and while I agree that it's not as immediately accessible as MPP, it is still a near masterpiece in my eyes. Give this thing more than one listen, chances are that you will come to appreciate it more.…Expand

Beckoning back the Strawberry Jam-era of the band more so than Merriweather Post Pavilion does, Centipede Hz proves a difficult listen atBeckoning back the Strawberry Jam-era of the band more so than Merriweather Post Pavilion does, Centipede Hz proves a difficult listen at first, but there is as many ideas here at play as Merriweather. The LP's promo 'Today's Supernatural' is a tornado of reverbed guitars and pounding drum beats, accompanied by Avey Tare's shouts and wails. The song segues into the somewhat poppy 'Rosie Oh', and then into the crazy, wonderful and colourful 'Applesauce'. The latter half of the album takes a quieter tone than it's excited, jumpy other half, though it's not without it's moments, particularly the closer. Overall, Centipede Hz doesn't quite reach the dreamy, psychedelic heights of it's predecessor, but it's a damn sight close.…Expand

It seems from the first few moments of the ambitious opening track "Moonjack" that AC is on to something great and indescribable. ThroughoutIt seems from the first few moments of the ambitious opening track "Moonjack" that AC is on to something great and indescribable. Throughout the album, these sublime moments do occur again here and there, like with the song transitions that sound like an acid-laced radio-tuning session. At the same time, the album does run a bit too long, and there are some moments here that feel unnecessary. But is still a very good album, and occasionally a great one. Not as immediately likable as MWPP, Centipede Hz grows on you after repeated listening. Standout tracks include Moonjack, New Town Burnout, Monkey Riches…Expand

Good album. Typical Animal Collective stuff, very experimental, full of energy, and all over the place. It is quality material but compared toGood album. Typical Animal Collective stuff, very experimental, full of energy, and all over the place. It is quality material but compared to "Merriweather Post Pavilion", it does seem to fall short. Still, a good album worth buying.…Expand

Typically half-baked dribble from one of the most overrated bands of all-time. It's a real shame that this is the kind of alternatives hipsterTypically half-baked dribble from one of the most overrated bands of all-time. It's a real shame that this is the kind of alternatives hipster culture comes up with in reaction to the Katy Perry's out there, when there are so many talented bands that never get a fair shake from Pitchfork.…Expand